Inhibiting phase separation in low viscosity water-based pesticide suspensions

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a composition for inhibiting phase separation and the resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in low viscosity, water-based pesticide suspensions. In accordance with this invention, the composition comprises from about 0.003% to about 50% by weight of a pesticide, from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wetting agent; from about 0.0% to about 0.8% by weight of a thickener; from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of an antimicrobial agent; from about 5% to about 20% of an anti-freeze; from about 1% to about 8% of a hydrophobic fumed silica; and from about 40% to about 95% of water. In an embodiment of the invention, the hydrophobic fumed silica results from a hydrophilic silica which is treated with dimethyldichlorosilane.

This application is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 09/086,075, filed on May 28, 1998 now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a composition for inhibiting phase separation and the resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in low viscosity, water-based pesticide suspensions. More particularly, the composition of the present invention comprises a hydrophobic fumed silica to inhibit phase separation and the resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in the low-viscosity, water-based pesticide suspension. The preferred hydrophobic fumed silica results from a hydrophilic silica which is treated with dimethyldichloro-silane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A pesticide suspension is a homogeneous mixture of small solid particles of pesticide suspended in a liquid medium. During periods of non-agitation, the solid particles with a density greater than the density of the liquid medium will settle toward the bottom of the container and homogeneity is not maintained. Similarly, solid particles with a density less than the density of the liquid medium will settle toward the top of the container and homogeneity is not maintained. The loss of homogeneity can cause product failure if it results in non-uniform applications of the pesticide, and plugging of strainers and nozzles used with application equipment. In practice, the usual ways to inhibit settling of the particles include (i) making the density of the liquid medium as close as possible to that of the solid pesticide, and/or (ii) building high viscosity into the suspension. Changing the density of the liquid medium is usually not feasible, and building high viscosity into the suspension causes problems in the production, handling and performance of the pesticide.

Therefore, the practice of combining or formulating the pesticide compounds with inert ingredients to facilitate their dispersibility in water, has developed. Such water dispersible formulations have generally been prepared by combining the pesticide with (i) an emulsifier or wetting agent, (ii) a dispersant, and (iii) an inert carrier or filler material. The inert carrier or filler material has been found necessary in order to obtain a suitable admixture of the emulsifier, dispersant and pesticide, and to facilitate the size reduction of these ingredients to an appropriate particle size. The inert carrier or filler material may be either a solid or a liquid. The former type of formulations include wettable powders such as those discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,551. Other types of solid formulations such as the water dispersible granules of U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,442, have been proposed. The latter type of formulations include flowables in which the major dispersing medium is water, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,060,084.

The disadvantages of these formulations known in the art include difficulty in handling when preparing the suspensions, a tendency to cake during storage, and extreme sensitivity to high temperature. Thus, there has long been a need in the art for a flowable aqueous pesticide composition which is easily handled during preparation and use, which has excellent shelf-life even during extended storage and which is completely dispersible in water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition for inhibiting phase separation and the resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in low viscosity, water-based pesticide suspensions. The composition contains from about 0.003% to about 50% by weight of a pesticide; from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wetting agent; from about 0.0% to about 0.8% by weight of a thickener; from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of an antimicrobial agent; from about 5% to about 20% of an anti-freeze; from about 1% to about 8% of a hydrophobic fumed silica; and from about 40% to about 95% of water.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a composition for inhibiting phase separation and the resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in low viscosity, water-based pesticide suspensions without changing the density of the liquid medium and/or building high viscosity into the suspension.

These and other objects that will be apparent to those skilled in the art are accomplished by adding hydrophobic fumed silica to the low-viscosity, water-based pesticide suspension. The preferred hydrophobic fumed silica results from a hydrophilic silica which is treated with dimethyldichlorosilane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The composition of the present invention comprises a combination of a low viscosity water-based pesticide formulation and hydrophobic fumed silica. In an embodiment of the present invention, "low viscosity" is defined as a viscosity of less than about 900 cps. The pesticide formulation includes a pesticide; a wetting agent; a thickener; an antimicrobial agent; an antifreeze agent; and water. The pesticide is selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, and a herbicide. In an embodiment of the invention, the insecticide is imidacloprid, the fungicide is tebuconazole, and the herbicide is metribuzin.

Wetting agents serve to reduce the surface tension at the water-solid interface and therefore, increase the tendency of the water to contact the complete surface of the active ingredient particles. Both anionic and nonionic surfactants are useful. Examples of anionic surfactants include alkyl polyether alcohol sulfates, arylalkyl polyether alcohol sulfates, arylalkyl sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates, and alkyl phenoxybenzene disulfonates. Nonionic surfactants include arylalkyl polyether alcohols, aklyl polyether alcohols, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyalkylene oxide block copolymers, polyalkylene oxide block copolymer monohydric alcohols and polyalkylene oxide block copolymer alkyl phenols. Preferred wetting agents include sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate and ethoxylated polyoxypropylene.

A thickener is generally a water soluble or water dispersible anionic colloid possessing shear thinning properties, low sensitivity to temperature, good stability in both acidic and basic media, and compatibility with most inorganic materials. Examples of thickening agents include polysaccharide gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, gum arabic; organically modified montmorillonite clays, attapulgite clays, carboxy-vinyl copolymers, and cellulose ethers. Preferred thickeners include xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

An antimicrobial agent is generally used to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, or other microbial organisms that can flourish in an aqueous environment. Examples of antimicrobial agents include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, methyl or propyl parahydroxybenzoate, 2-bromo-2-nitro-propane-1,2-diol, sodium benzoate, glutaraldehyde, O-phenylphenol, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichloro-benzyl alcohol, and benzisothiazolinones. Preferred antimicrobial agents include 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one plus, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.

An anti-freeze agent (freeze point depressant) includes relatively low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, hexane diol, and sorbitol. Preferred anti-freeze agents include dipropylene glycol, glycerine, hexylene glycol, and propylene glycol.

Hydrophobic fumed silicas are made by treating the surface of hydrophilic fumed silicas with a substance that chemically bonds and, thereby, changes the surface from one that is easily wetted by water to one that adsorbs hardly any water (even at high levels of atmospheric moisture). The preferred hydrophobic fumed silica of the present invention comprises a hydrophilic fumed amorphous silica treated with dimethyidi-chlorosilane.

The composition of the pesticide suspension of the present invention is generally as follows.

    ______________________________________                                                              Weight %                                                  ______________________________________                                         Pesticide              0.003-50                                                Wetting Agent                0.5-10                                            Thickener                        0.0-0.8                                       Antimicrobial Agent    0.1-0.5                                                 Anti-Freeze                    5-20                                            Hydrophobic Fumed Silica                                                                              1-8                                                     Water                                40-95                                     ______________________________________                                    

The composition of the present invention contains from about 0.003% to about 50% by weight of a pesticide; from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wetting agent; from about 0.0% to about 0.8% by weight of a thickener; from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of an antimicrobial agent; from about 5% to about 20% of an anti-freeze; from about 1% to about 8% of a hydrophobic fumed silica; and from about 40% to about 95% of water.

Having thus described our invention, the following examples are given as being illustrative thereof. All weights and percentages given are parts by weight or percentages by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A study was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of 0.5% to 7.0% hydrophobic amorphous fumed silica in reducing the settling rate of a water-based suspension concentrate (SC) containing 0.5 pound imidacloprid insecticide per gallon.

[A.] SC Concentrate with 0% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

Blended together and homogenized by means of a Ross high-shear mixer were 152 grams of sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate (wetting agent), 152 grams of ethoxylated polyoxypropylene (wetting agent), 38 grams of a 19% solution of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in aqueous dipropylene glycol (antimicrobial agent), 14 grams of xanthan gum (thickener), 759 grams of glycerine (anti-freeze) and 4856 grams of deionized water. A suspension containing 0.5 pound imidacloprid insecticide per gallon was prepared by blending 5962 grams of this mixture with 2139 grams ADMIRE 2, a water-based suspension concentrate containing 2 pounds imidacloprid insecticide per gallon manufactured by Bayer Corporation, and mixed to uniformity with a low-shear paddle mixer. The final make-up of the suspension was then 5.6% imidacloprid insecticide, 2.4% sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate, 2.4% ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, 0.5% 1,2-benziso-thiazolin-3-one solution, 0.2% xanthan gum, 12.0% glycerine, and 76.9% water.

[B.] SC Concentrate with 0.5% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [A.] was used with the following noted exceptions, (i) 4815 grams of deionized water were used in the composition, (ii) 40 grams of hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyldichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica were added to the composition and homogeneously dispersed with the Ross high-shear mixer, and (iii) the final make-up of the suspension contained 76.4% water, and 0.5% hydrophobic silica.

[C.] SC Concentrate with 1.0% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [B.] was used with the following noted exceptions, (i) 4775 grams of deionized water were used, (ii) 81 grams of hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyidichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica were added, and (iii) the final make-up of the suspension contained 75.9% water, and 1.0% hydrophobic silica.

[D.] SC Concentrate with 4.0% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [C.] was used with the following noted exceptions, (i) 4532 grams of deionized water were used, (ii) 324 grams of hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyidichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica were added, and (iii) the final make-up of the suspension contained 72.9% water, and 4.0% hydrophobic silica.

[E.] SC Concentrate with 6.0% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [D.] was used with the following noted exceptions, (i) 4369 grams of deionized water were used, (ii) 486 grams of hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyidichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica were added, and (iii) the final make-up of the suspension contained 70.9% water, and 6.0% hydrophobic silica.

[F.] SC Concentrate with 7.0% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [E.] was used with the following noted exceptions, (i) 4289 grams of deionized water were used, (ii) 567 grams of hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyldichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica were added, and (iii) the final make-up of the suspension contained 69.9% water, and 7.0% hydrophobic silica.

Each of these six suspensions was then stored at 50° C. for 56 days in a 1-quart clear glass jar with a lid. Storage at 50° C. increases the rate of chemical decomposition and physical degradation as opposed to storage at room temperature or below. After 3 days of storage, the settling of solid insecticide particles in the suspension with 0% hydrophobic silica resulted in the top 40% of the suspension being a clear liquid (syneresis); storage for 21 days resulted in settling that left the top 70% of the suspension a clear liquid. The addition of 0.5% to 7.0% hydrophobic amorphous fumed silica significantly reduced the settling rates. The results are shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         WATER-BASED SUSPENSION CONTAINING 0.5 POUND                                    IMIDACLOPRID INSECTICIDE PER GALLON AND 0.5% TO                                7.0% HYDROPHOBIC FUMED SILICA                                                  Hydrophobic                                                                            Syneresis, %                                                           Amorphous                                                                              Viscosity* 3 days  21 days                                                                               28 days                                                                              56 days                                Silica, %                                                                                         50° C.ee. C.                                                                    50° C.                                                                         50° C.                                                                        50° C.                          ______________________________________                                         0       200        40      70     --    --                                     0.5                                            --                              1.0                                             59                             4.0                                               12                           6.0                              2                                                                                            --                              7.0                              1                                                                                            --                              ______________________________________                                          *spdl #3 @ 60 rpm.                                                       

Example 2

A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of 0.5% hydrophobic amorphous silica with that of 0.5% hydrophilic silica in reducing the settling rate of suspensions containing 0.5 pound per gallon of (i) imidacloprid insecticide, (ii) metribuzin herbicide, or (iii) tebuconazole fungicide.

[A.] Imidacloprid Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

Blended together and homogenized by means of a Ross high-shear mixer, were 56 grams of Morwet D-425 (sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate; wetting agent), 56 grams Witconol 324 (ethoxylated polyoxypropylene; wetting agent), 14 grams Proxel GXL (a 19% solution of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in aqueous dipropylene glycol; antimicrobial agent), 5 grams Rhodopol 50 MD (xanthan gum; thickener), 280 grams glycerine (anti-freeze), and 1789 grams deionized water. Then 15 grams of Aerosil R-972 (hydrophobic fumed silica resulting from dimethyidichlorosilane treated hydrophilic fumed silica) was added and homogeneously dispersed with the Ross high-shear mixer. A suspension containing 0.5 pound imidacloprid per gallon was prepared by blending 294 grams of this mixture with 106 grams ADMIRE 2, and mixed to uniformity with a low-shear paddle mixer. The final concentration of imidacloprid in the suspension was 5.6%; the concentration of hydrophobic silica was 0.5%.

[B.] Imidacloprid Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophilic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [A.] was used with the following exception, 15 grams of Aerosil 200 (hydrophilic fumed silica) were added to the [B.] mixture instead of the Aerosil R-972 (hydrophobic fumed silica) which was added to the [A.] mixture.

[C.] Metribuzin Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [A.] was used with the following exception, a metribuzin suspension, instead of an imidacloprid suspension was used. In [C.], a suspension containing 0.5 pound metribuzin per gallon was prepared by blending 368 grams of this mixture with 32 grams SENCOR 70 WP, a wettable powder containing 70% metribuzin herbicide manufactured by Bayer Corporation, and mixed to uniformity with a low-shear paddle mixer. The final concentration of metribuzin in the suspension was 5.6%; the concentration of hydrophobic silica was 0.5%.

[D.] Metribuzin Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophilic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [C.] was used with the following exception, 15 grams of Aerosil 200 (hydrophilic fumed silica) were added to the [D.] mixture instead of the Aerosil R-972 (hydrophobic fumed silica) which was added to the [C.] mixture.

[E.] Tebuconazole Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophobic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [A.] was used with the following exception, a tebuconazole suspension, instead of an imidacloprid suspension was used. In [E.], a suspension containing 0.5 pound tebuconazole per gallon was prepared by blending 342 grams of this mixture with 58 grams FOLICUR 3.6, a water-based suspension concentrate containing 3.6 pounds tebuconazole fungicide per gallon manufactured by Bayer Corporation, and mixed to uniformity with a low-shear paddle mixer. The final concentration of tebuconazole in the suspension was 5.6%; the concentration of hydrophobic silica was 0.5%.

[F.] Tebuconazole Suspension with 0.5% Hydrophilic Fumed Silica

The composition as described in [E.] was used with the following exception, 15 grams of Aerosil 200 (hydrophilic fumed silica) were added to the [F.] mixture instead of the Aerosil R-972 (hydrophobic fumed silica) which was added to the [E.] mixture.

Each of these six suspensions was stored at 50° C. for 21 days in a 1-quart clear glass jar with a lid. The results of these storage tests are shown in Tables 2, 3, and 4.

Table 2 indicates that during the 21 day storage period, the hydrophobic silica, Aerosil R-972, was significantly more effective in reducing syneresis in the metribuzin and tebuconazole suspensions than the hydrophilic silica, Aerosil 200, or no silica. The syneresis reduction in the imidacloprid suspension was similarly significant for 10 days storage. However, the similarities of the effectiveness of 0.5% hydrophobic silica, 0.5% hydrophilic silica, and 0% silica at 14 and 21 days was attributed to this particular imidacloprid suspension needing more than 0.5% silica to show significant differences. For confirmation purposes, a follow-up study was conducted and the results are shown in Table 5.

Table 3 shows that the use of the hydrophobic silica achieved reduced syneresis without resulting in high viscosities either before or after storage.

Table 4 shows the use of hydrophobic silica achieved reduced syneresis without resulting in sediment that was difficult to disperse following storage.

Table 5 shows the results of storage of PREMISE 0.5 SC (Imidicloprid) suspensions containing 0.5% - 1.0% hydrophilic silica (Aerosil 200) and 0.5% to 4.0% hydrophobic silica (Aerosil R-972). All suspensions were made using the materials and processes used to make the PREMISE 0.5 SC for the study reported in Table 2. The data shows that at concentrations of 0.5% silica or greater, the hydrophobic silica is significantly more effective in reducing syneresis than the hydrophilic silica.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     % SYNERESIS AFTER STORAGE AT 50° C.                                     TEST                                                                           SENCOR 0.5 SC   FOLICUR 0.5 SC                                                                             PREMISE 0.5 SC                                     (METRIBUZIN)                           (IMIDACLOPRID)                          0.5%    0.5%                                                                                   0.5%                                                                               0.5%                                                                                   0.5%                                                                               0.5%                                           Aerosil Aerosil Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil                                        R972    200         200         200      R972                                  (Hydro- (Hydro-                                                                             0.0%                                                                                  (Hydro-ro-                                                                          0.0%                                                                                  (Hydro-ro-                                                                         0.0%                                       phobic) philic)                                                                               Aerosil                                                                              philic)                                                                             Aerosil                                                                              philic))                                                                           Aerosil                                    __________________________________________________________________________      3 days                                                                            3   28  46  11  21  37   5  20  40                                         10 days                                                                            5   51  59      60  66      40  50     20                                  14 days                                                                            10  68  69    31                                                                               61  84      600 60                                         21 days                                                                            14  69  69    41                                                                               64  87      no data                                                                            66                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     VISCOSITY AFTER STORAGE AT 50° C.                                       TEST                                                                           SENCOR 0.5 SC   FOLICUR 0.5 SC                                                                             PREMISE 0.5 SC                                     (METRIBUZIN)                           (IMIDACLOPRID)                          0.5%    0.5%                                                                                   0.5%                                                                               0.5%                                                                                   0.5%                                                                               0.5%                                           Aerosil Aerosil Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil                                        R972    200         200   R972                                                                                 200       R972                                 (Hydro- (Hydro-                                                                            0.0%                                                                                   (Hydro-dro-                                                                           0.0%                                                                                (Hydro--                                                                           0.0%                                       phobic) philic)                                                                                  phobic)                                                                          (philic)                                                                               phobic)osil                                                                        philic)                                                                            Aerosil                                    __________________________________________________________________________      0 days                                                                            170 188 164 152 182 152 200 235 200                                        21 days                                                                            224 194 174   174                                                                              176 170     no data                                                                            208                                        __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     SEDIMENTATION and REDISPERSION AFTER STORAGE FOR 21 DAYS AT 50°         C.                                                                                    TEST                                                                           SENCOR 0.5 SC FOLICUR 0.5 SC                                                                               PREMISE 0.5 SC                                     (METRIBUZIN)               (TEBUCONAZOLE)                                                                             (IMIDACLOPRID)                          0.5%                                                                               0.5%      0.5%                                                                               0.5%      0.5%                                                                               0.5%                                           Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil   Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil   Aerosil                                                                            Aerosil                                        R972                                                                               200       R972                                                                               200       R972                                                                               200                                            (Hydro-                                                                            (Hydro-                                                                              0.0%                                                                                   (Hydro-ro-                                                                               0.0%                                                                               (Hydro-o-                                                                             0.0%                                    phobic)                                                                            philic)                                                                              Aerosil                                                                                philic)ic)                                                                            Aerosil                                                                               philic))                                                                           Aerosil                             __________________________________________________________________________     Sedimentation                                                                         none                                                                               slight                                                                              slight                                                                              none                                                                               none slight                                                                              none                                                                               no data                                                                            none                                           sediment                                                                            sediment                                                                                            sediment                                  Ease of                                                                               very                                                                               easy w/                                                                             *easy w/                                                                            very                                                                               easy w/                                                                             difficult                                                                           very                                                                               no data                                                                            easy                                Redispersion                                                                          easy                                                                               agitation                                                                           agitation                                                                           easy                                                                               agitation                                                                           **      easy                                     __________________________________________________________________________      *Very slight residue on bottom that was somewhat difficult to redisperse.      **Some sediment/residue on the bottom was difficult to redisperse,             requiring a lot of shaking.                                              

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PREMISE 0.5 SC WITH 0.5% TO 4.0% SILICA                                        Spl                                                                              Additive                                                                             Wt       3 days 10 days                                                                               14 days                                                                               21 days                                  ID                                                                                Name      TESTS                                                                                     @ 50° C.                                                                 @ 50° C.                                                                       @ 50° C.                                                                       @ 50° C.                         __________________________________________________________________________     A None  0.0                                                                               Viscosity                                                                            200    --     --     --                                                    Syneresis                                                                             30-40%                                                                                                            66%                                Redispersion                                                                         easy                                 easy                                 Demarcation                                                                          sharp                              sharp                                Sediment                                                                                 none                                                                                                        no tacky                                                                       sediment                     B  Aerosil                                                                               0.5                                                                             Viscosity                                                                               224                         --                                  200                                                                                     Syneresis                                                                           20%    40%         >60%                                                     Redispersion                                                                    very easy                                                                              very easy                                                                                  No further                                                                                --                                 Hydrophilic                                                                             Demarcation                                                                         fuzzy/flock                                                                           sharp        evaluations                                              Sediment                                                                          none   none        performed                                C  Aerosil                                                                               0.5                                                                             Viscosity                                                                               200                                --                           R972                                                                                 Syneresis                                                                              5%     5%          10%                                                                                 20%                                                  Redispersion                                                                   very easy                                                                              very easy                                                                                  very easy                                                                           very easy                                 Hydrophobic                                                                            Demarcation                                                                         indistinct                                                                            sharp        sharp                                                                               sharp                                                   w/agglomerate                                                                 noneent                                                                               none        no tacky                                                                            none                                                                            sediment                           D  Aerosil                                                                              0.75                                                                             Viscosity                                                                               296                  --                                         200      Syneresis                                                                           10%           >50%                                                        Redispersion                                                                      very easy                                                                                                           --                            Hydrophilic                                                                          Demarcation                                                                           fuzzy         evaluations                                                     Sediment                                                                         none          performed                                     E  Aerosil                                                                              0.75                                                                             Viscosity                                                                               201                                --                           R972     Syneresis                                                                           5%     5%          10%                                                                                 15%                                                 Redispersion                                                                    very easy                                                                              very easy                                                                                  very easy                                                                           very easy                               Hydrophobic                                                                              Demarcation                                                                         indistict                                                                             slight flock                                                                               sharp w/slight                                                                      sharp                                                      w/agglomerate                                                                                  flock                                                     Sediment                                                                         none   no tacky                                                                                  no tacky                                                                             none                                                               sediment                                                                             sediment                                  F  Aerosil                                                                             1.0                                                                                 Viscosity                                                                             350                  --                                         200                                                                                    Syneresis                                                                            10%    >50%                                                                  Redispersion                                                                   very easy                                                                              No further                                                                                                  --                           Hydrophilic                                                                            Demarcation                                                                          fuzzy  evaluations                                                            Sediment                                                                         none   performed                                            G  Aerosil                                                                              1.0                                                                               Viscosity                                                                              201                               --                           R972      Syneresis                                                                           5%     5%          5%                                                                                  10%                                                  Redispersion                                                                   very easy                                                                              very easy                                                                                  very easy                                                                           very easy                                 Hydrophobic                                                                            Demarcation                                                                         indistinct                                                                            medium flock                                                                               light flock                                                                         sharp                                                                    w/agglomerate                                               Sediment                                                                           none                                                                                no tacky                                                                                  no tacky                                                                             none                                                              sediment                                                                              sediment                                  H  Aerosil                                                                              2.0                                                                               Viscosity                                                                              200                  --                                         R972                                                                                   Syneresis                                                                            5%     6%                                                                Redispersion                                                                       easy     very sharp                                                                                                 --                            Hydrophobic                                                                           Demarcation                                                                          sharp  sharp                                                                  Sediment                                                                         none   none                                                 I  Aerosil                                                                             3.0                                                                                 Viscosity                                                                             230                  --                                         R972      Syneresis                                                                          2%     3%                                                                   Redispersion                                                                    easy     very easy                                                                                                  --                          Hydrophobic                                                                            Demarcation                                                                           sharp  sharp                                                                 Sediment                                                                          none   none                                                 J  Aerosil                                                                             4.0                                                                                 Viscosity                                                                             254                  --                                      R972     Syneresis                                                                              trace                                                                                1%                                                                     Redispersion                                                                   very easy                                                                                                           --                         Hydrophobic                                                                             Demarcation                                                                           n/a            sharp                                                         Sediment                                                                          none          none                                          __________________________________________________________________________ 

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition for inhibiting phase separation and resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in a low viscosity water-based pesticide suspension, comprising:a. from about 0.003% to about 0.50% by weight of a pesticide; b. from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wetting agent; c. from 0.0% to about 0.8% by weight of a thickener; d. from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight of an antimicrobial agent; e. from about 5% to about 20% by weight of an anti-freeze agent; f. from about 1% to about 8% by weight of an hydrophobic silica; and g. from about 40% to about 95% by weight of water.
 2. A composition for inhibiting phase separation and resulting non-uniform distribution of an active ingredient in a water-based pesticide suspension wherein the suspension has a viscosity of less than about 900 cps, comprising:a. from about 0.003% to about 0.50% by weight of a pesticide; b. from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of a wetting agent; c. from about 0.0% to about 0.8% by weight of a thickener; d. from about 0.1% to about 0.5% by weight of an antimicrobial agent; e. from about 5% to about 20% by weight of an anti-freeze agent; f. from about 1% to about 8% by weight of an hydrophobic silica; and g. from about 40% to about 95% by weight of water.
 3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium naphthalene formaldehyde condensate and ethoxylated polyoxypropylene.
 4. The composition of claim 2 wherein the thickener is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
 5. The composition of claim 2 wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one.
 6. The composition of claim 2 wherein the antifreeze agent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol, glycerine, hexylene glycol, and propylene glycol.
 7. The composition of claim 2 wherein the hydrophobic fumed silica is a hydrophilic fumed silica treated with dimethyldichlorosilane. 